Electrically-operated folding stage system

Abstract

Electrically-operated Folding Stage System An electrically-operated folding stage system comprises a pair of first and second stage components connected to each other and each including a platform, plural operating means each having a pair of output shafts and located directly below a borderline between the platforms of the stage components, a first link means with a lower end fixed to one of the output shafts, a second link means with a lower end fixed to the other output shaft, means for pivotally connecting an upper end of the first link means to a bottom of the platform of the first stage component, and means for pivotally connecting an upper end of the second link means to the bottom of the platform of the second stage component. The platforms of the first and second stage components provide a single continuous surface when the first and second stage components are in horizontal positions on a floor. When the operating means are operated, the first link means arcs toward the second stage component to move the first stage component from the horizontal position to a first vertical position while the second link means arcs toward the first stage component to move the second stage component from the horizontal position to a second vertical position which faces the first vertical position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electrically-operated folding stage system comprising (a) a pair of first and second stage components connected to each other and each including a platform,   (b) plural operating means each having a pair of output shafts and located directly below a borderline between the platforms of the stage components,   (c) a first link means with a lower end fixed to one of the output shafts,   (d) a second link means with a lower end fixed to the other output shaft,   (e) means for pivotally connecting an upper end of the first link means to a bottom of the platform of the first stage component,   (f) means for pivotally connecting an upper end of the second link means to the bottom of the platform of the second stage component,   (g) the platforms of the first and second stage components providing a single continuous surface when the first and second stage components are in horizontal positions on a floor, and   (h) the first and second link means making arcing motions, when the operating means are operated, so that the first link means causes the first stage component to move from the horizontal position to a first vertical position while the second link means causes the second stage component to move from the horizontal position to a second vertical position which faces the first vertical position.   
     
     
       2. A stage system in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of the link means includes a pair of integrally formed tubes and a pair of rods slidably disposed in the respective tubes so that the rods may be extended from the respective tubes or retracted thereinto as the stage system is unfolded and unfolded, thereby changing a distance between the output shaft to which the lower end of the link means is fixed and the means for pivotally connecting the upper end of the link means to the platform. 
     
     
       3. A stage system in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of the link means includes no extensible member. 
     
     
       4. A stage system of claim 1 further including means which enable the operating means at least in two opposite directions on the floor. 
     
     
       5. A stage system in accordance with claim 4 wherein each of the link means includes a pair of integrally formed tubes and a pair of rods slidably disposed in the respective tubes so that the rods may be extended from the respective tubes or retracted thereinto as the stage system is unfolded and unfolded, thereby changing a distance between the output shaft to which the lower end of the link means is fixed and the means for pivotally connecting the upper end of the link means to the platform. 
     
     
       6. A stage system in accordance with claim 4 wherein each of the link means includes no extensible member. 
     
     
       7. A high-type electrically-operated folding stage system comprising (a) a pair of first and second stage components connected to each other and each having (i) a platform, (ii) plural rows of brackets fixed to a bottom thereof, (iii) legs pivotally connected to the respective brackets at upper ends thereof, (iv) a beam located in parallel with an outer row of the legs and extending along a line connecting lower ends of the legs of the outer row, (v) a beam located in parallel with an opposed outer row of the legs and extending along a line connecting lower ends of the legs of the opposed outer row, (vi) a pair of beams located in parallel with a central row of the legs on opposed sides of the central row of the legs and extending along a line connecting lower ends of the legs of the central row, and (vii) rods arranged in directions perpendicular to the beams and each extending through corresponding legs of the rows of the legs and the beams, said beams being capable of turning on said rods,   (b) means connected to lower ends of foremost legs of the first stage component and to lower ends of rearmost legs of the second stage component for allowing the stage components to be moved at least in two opposite directions on a floor,   (c) plural operating means each having a pair of output shafts and located directly below a borderline between the platforms of the stage components,   (d) means for allowing the operating means to be moved at least in two opposite directions on the floor,   (e) a first link means with a lower end fixed to one of the output shafts,   (f) a second link means with a lower end fixed to the other output shaft,   (g) means for pivotally connecting an upper end of the first link means to the bottom of the platform of the first stage component,   (h) means for pivotally connecting an upper end of the second link means to the bottom of the platform of the second stage component,   (i) the platforms of the first and second stage components providing a single continuous surface when the first and second stage components are in horizontal positions on the floor, and   (j) the first and second link means making arcing motions, when the operating means are operated, so that the first link means causes the first stage component to move from the horizontal position to a first vertical position while the second link means causes the second stage component to move from the horizontal position to a second vertical position which faces the first vertical position.   
     
     
       8. A stage system in accordance with claim 7 wherein each of the link means includes a pair of integrally formed tubes and a pair of rods slidably disposed in the respective tubes so that the rods may be extended from the respective tubes or retracted thereinto as the stage system is unfolded and unfolded, thereby changing a distance between the output shaft to which the lower end of the link means is fixed and the means for pivotally connecting the upper end of the link means to the platform. 
     
     
       9. A high-type electrically-operated folding stage system comprising (a) a pair of first and second stage components connected to each other and each having (i) a platform, (ii) plural rows of brackets fixed to a bottom thereof, (iii) legs pivotally connected to the respective brackets at upper ends thereof, (iv) a beam located in parallel with an outer row of the legs and extending along a line connecting lower ends of the legs of the outer row, (v) a beam located in parallel with an opposed outer row of the legs and extending along a line connecting lower ends of the legs of the opposed outer row, (vi) a pair of beams located in parallel with a central row of the legs on opposed sides of the central row of the legs and extending along a line connecting lower ends of the legs of the central row, and (vii) rods arranged in directions perpendicular to the beams and each extending through corresponding legs of the rows of the legs and the beams, said beams being capable of turning on said rods,   (b) means connected to lower ends of foremost legs of the first stage component for allowing the foremost legs of the first stage component to be moved at least in two opposite directions on a floor,   (c) means for fixing lower ends of rearmost legs of the second stage component onto the floor,   (d) plural operating means each having a pair of output shafts and located directly below a borderline between the platforms of the stage components,   (e) means for allowing the operating means to be moved at least in two opposite directions on the floor,   (f) a first link means with a lower end fixed to one of the output shafts,   (g) a second link means with a lower end fixed to the other output shaft,   (h) means for pivotally connecting an upper end of the first link means to the bottom of the platform of the first stage component,   (i) means for pivotally connecting an upper end of the second link means to the bottom of the platform of the second stage component,   (j) the platforms of the first and second stage components providing a single continuous surface when the first and second stage components are in horizontal positions on the floor, and   (k) the first and second link means making arcing motions, when the operating means are operated, so that the first link means causes the first stage component to move from the horizontal position to a first vertical position while the second link means causes the second stage component to move from the horizontal position to a second vertical position which faces the first vertical position.   
     
     
       10. A stage system in accordance with claim 9 wherein each of the link means includes a pair of integrally formed tubes and a pair of rods slidably disposed in the respective tubes so that the rods may be extended from the respective tubes or retracted thereinto as the stage system is unfolded and unfolded, thereby changing a distance between the output shaft to which the lower end of the link means is fixed and the means for pivotally connecting the upper end of the link means to the platform. 
     
     
       11. A low-type electrically-operated folding stage system comprising (a) a pair of first and second stage components connected to each other and each including a platform and plural legs fixed to a bottom of the platform,   (b) means connected to lower ends of foremost legs of the first stage component and to lower ends of rearmost legs of the second stage component for allowing the stage components to be moved at least in two opposite directions,   (c) plural operating means each having a pair of output shafts and located directly below a borderline between the platforms of the stage components,   (d) means for allowing the operating means to be moved at least in two opposite directions on the floor,   (e) a first link means with a lower end fixed to one of the output shafts,   (f) a second link means with a lower end fixed to the other output shaft,   (g) means for pivotally connecting an upper end of the first link means to the bottom of the platform of the first stage component,   (h) means for pivotally connecting an upper end of the second link means to the bottom of the platform of the second stage component,   (i) the platforms of the first and second stage components providing a single continuous surface when the first and second stage components are in horizontal positions on a floor, and   (j) the first and second link means making arcing motions, when the operating means are operated, so that the first link means causes the first stage component to move from the horizontal position to a first vertical position while the second link means causes the second stage component to move from the horizontal position to a second vertical position faces the first vertical position.   
     
     
       12. A stage system in accordance with claim 11 wherein each of the link means includes a pair of integrally formed tubes and a pair of rods slidably disposed in the respective tubes so that the rods may be extended from the respective tubes or retracted thereinto as the stage system is unfolded and unfolded, thereby changing a distance between the output shaft to which the lower end of the link means is fixed and the means for pivotally connecting the upper end of the link means to the platform. 
     
     
       13. A low-type electrically-operated folding stage system comprising (a) a pair of first and second stage components connected to each other and each including a platform and plural legs fixed to a bottom of the platform,   (b) means connected to lower ends of foremost legs of the first stage component for allowing the foremost legs of the first stage component to be moved at least in two opposite directions,   (c) fixing means fixed on a floor,   (d) means for pivotally connecting lower ends of rearmost legs of the second stage component to the fixing means,   (e) plural operating means each having a pair of output shafts and located directly below a borderline between the platforms of the stage components,   (f) means for allowing the operating means to be moved at least in two opposite directions on the floor,   (g) a first link means with a lower end fixed to one of the output shafts,   (h) a second link means with a lower end fixed to the other output shaft,   (i) means for pivotally connecting an upper end of the first link means to the bottom of the platform of the first stage component,   (j) means for pivotally connecting an upper end of the second link means to the bottom of the platform of the second stage component,   (k) the platforms of the first and second stage components providing a single continuous surface when the first and second stage components are in horizontal positions on the floor, and   (l) the first and second link means making arcing motions, when the operating means are operated, so that the first link means causes the first stage component to move from the horizontal position to a first vertical position while the second link means causes the second stage component to move from the horizontal position to a second vertical position which faces the first vertical position.   
     
     
       14. A stage system in accordance with claim 13 wherein each of the link means includes a pair of integrally formed tubes and a pair of rods slidably disposed in the respective tubes so that the rods may be extended from the respective tubes or retracted thereinto as the stage system is unfolded and unfolded, thereby changing a distance between the output shaft to which the lower end of the link means is fixed and the means for pivotally connecting the upper end of the link means to the platform.